Andoni Iraola avoided defeat on his Anfield debut as Liverpool manager after Victor Munoz struck late to secure a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest.

Forest looked poised to claim a third consecutive league victory at Anfield after Dan Ndoye and Morgan Gibbs-White's penalty twice put the visitors ahead.

Alexander Isak restored parity early in the second half, but Forest regained the lead before Munoz's deflected effort rescued a point for Liverpool and extended Iraola's unbeaten start through his first two games in charge.

Liverpool will now turn their attention to Friday's trip to Ipswich, with Bradley Barcola potentially in line to make his debut.

The French winger has been one of Liverpool's leading transfer targets for several months, with reports suggesting the club are close to completing a 106 million pounds ($144 million) deal with Paris Saint-Germain. The transfer could rise by a further 17 million pounds ($23 million) with add-ons.

Iraola had hoped for a special day to mark his first match in charge at the club's iconic home but instead received a reminder of why he was given the chance to replace the sacked Arne Slot.

The Dutchman led Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title in the 2024-25 campaign but was dismissed after the team finished fifth last season.

A record £450 million outlay on new signings 12 months ago continues to produce little return on investment, with fullbacks Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong substituted, while Isak and Florian Wirtz again struggled to make the impact expected of players who commanded enormous transfer fees.

Liverpool also remain vulnerable at the back, with a Forest side that failed to score in its opening two games under Oliver Glasner creating an abundance of chances.

Jeremy Jacquet produced a brilliant last-ditch block to deny Igor Jesus, while Ndoye headed narrowly wide before Forest took the lead in the 24th minute.

Liverpool were a shambles at the back as a long punt forward sent Jesus racing toward goal. Even after he was dispossessed, Morgan Gibbs-White teed up Ndoye, who found the far corner.

In keeping with his Liverpool career to date, Wirtz showed flashes of brilliance without stamping his authority on the game.

The German playmaker thought he had scored an equalizer, but the goal was ruled out for offside against Frimpong in the buildup.

At the other end, a vital save from Alisson denied Ndoye a second goal in first-half stoppage time.

Barcola's impending arrival could spell the end of Cody Gakpo's time at Anfield, with Tottenham and Manchester City reportedly interested in the Netherlands international.

But Gakpo has been Liverpool's most effective forward through the opening two games of the season.

His inch-perfect cross left Isak with a simple tap-in for the equalizer in the 60th minute.

Yet just as the home side were beginning to build momentum, they were hit by a sucker punch.

Forest newcomer Liam Delap's quickly taken throw-in caught the Liverpool defense sleeping, and Neco Williams was brought down by Alisson as the goalkeeper raced off his line.

Gibbs-White coolly sent the Brazilian goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot to restore Forest's lead.

Iraola emptied his bench in search of a response, and the decision to sacrifice Gakpo instead of Munoz paid off.

Wirtz threaded the eye of a needle with a through ball for the Spanish international, who blasted a shot in off the crossbar for his first goal since joining Liverpool from Osasuna.

Neither side could find a decisive goal in a pulsating finale, leaving both Iraola and Glasner still waiting for their first win in charge.